Hong Kong leader vows to fight for global talent with measures to be announced in maiden policy address in October, as technology chief promises clear innovation road map
- John Lee tells technology forum he is aware of calls for greater effort to ‘fight’ for talent, develop innovation sector in city
- Technology secretary Sun Dong highlights goal to lean on city’s strengths such as global ties and backing from China
Hong Kong’s leader has vowed to fight for and poach global talent, declaring a renewed push for the city to win in innovation and technology with new initiatives to be revealed in his maiden policy blueprint in October.
At a technology summit on Thursday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu cited participants from recent virtual consultation sessions who had urged the government to spare no effort in seeking success in the sector.
Describing how Hong Kong was now set to “transition from stability to prosperity”, Lee said this greater push would include “snatching” and “fighting” for more talent, using the Mandarin word qiang.
“I am told that we should seize opportunities to snatch top talent from across the world to Hong Kong. I totally agree with these views, and will put forward my thoughts and measures in the policy address,” he said, referring to the administration’s annual policy blueprint he is set to deliver on October 19.
Lee and several mainland Chinese officials spoke at the Global Innovation and Technology Summit organised by the Greater Bay Area Association of Academicians, a new platform initiated by six Hong Kong scholars of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering.